The facts about Scottish Catholic schools

There is further assumption in the statement that schools ''set out to push one opinion at the expense of others''. No educationalist worthy of his or her salt, whether in the Catholic or non-denominational sector would set out with that motivation. It is an insult to all our teachers to suggest that sentiments such as these inform their work.

Where is the evidence for his statement (Letters, December 12) that we are sending children ''to separate schools specifically designed to teach incompatible opinions''? Appreciation of our own faith does not lead us to denigration of others, rather it fosters respect for their genuinely held beliefs.

I prefer to respect the evidence which lies before me. I listen to the historians and sociologists who describe to me the correlation between economic deprivation, cultural poverty, and sectarianism. I draw my conclusions from the empirical evidence of recent studies which show Catholic schools to be punching above their weight in addressing these problems and achieving good grades for their pupils.

Mario Conti, Archbishop of Glasgow,

196 Clyde Street, Glasgow.

IT is surprising that an intelligent man like Richard Dawkins doesn't see the flaws in his own logic. Archbishop Conti could be mistaken in his claims about Catholic schools, but that is not evidence of ''flagrant dishonesty''. Whether or not ''harmony and understanding'' actually are promoted is a matter of ascertainable fact, but Dawkins doesn't offer any facts.

Are no scientists (even the professor) ever sincerely wrong? Wrong, for instance, about the nature of religious faith. A faith is not reducible to an ''opinion'', it is an orientation to believe in that which transcends ''facts'' but makes the world of facts ultimately meaningful. It is possible to dismiss this as an illusion, but not to dismiss the evidence that most human beings, for most of history, have found such an orientation deeply necessary.

Since faith is not an opinion it does not exclude respect for other faiths; indeed the humility sincere faith induces will require such respect. What is much more likely to create intolerance is the belief that the universe is composed of nothing but mutually exclusive ''facts''. I hope Dawkins has a very happy secular Christmas.

Dr Bob Purdie,

28 Slade Close, Oxford.

THE idea that, somehow, separate Catholic schooling perpetuates sectarianism is intellectually bereft, and so I am surprised by the comments of Professor Richard Dawkins, who sees such schools as ''manufacturing an evil''. I am not a Catholic, but comments like these are unhelpful and symptomatic of a simplistic belief that educating children in a faith-based environment is wrong and will inevitably lead to division. The idea that somehow because children aren't schooled together they can never relate to each other is absurd. Sectarianism is bred through ignorance in the home, not through separate schooling.

Travelling recently in Europe, I have witnessed separate Catholic schooling, in societies where the sectarianism found here is non-existent. Sectarian bigotry in Scotland predates the existence of Catholic schools and if integrated schools are the answer, they singularly failed to lessen ethnic tensions in Bosnia, for example.

Bigotry must be addressed in the home, not through cheap point-scoring against Catholic schools.

Alex Orr,

35 Bryson Road, Edinburgh.

ON the subject of Catholic schools, Professor Dawkins betrays himself with his deliberate and careful use of language. His calculated equation of ''opinion'' with ''faith'' shows us that he neither understands nor tolerates faith, so convinced is he of his own opinion. I doubt that he would accept that such an opinion is in fact a faith in itself - a touchingly naive one.

The problem of sectarianism is bigger than the school system and requires the efforts of the whole community to tackle it. Blaming the schools is easy, but there are plenty of places in the UK where denominational schools exist and sectarianism doesn't. Maybe exploring the reasons for that would be a better use of all our resources, journalistic, scientific, spiritual, and educational.

Lucy Hartley,

56 Speirs Road, Bearsden.

LET'S bring politics into the debate about religion! If it were easier for people to organise education for their children that is state-funded, but not state-provided, the issue of Catholic schools would go away. There would be many more types of school, emphasising whatever the parents feel to be important, religion, sport, science, all could meet a basic set of standards.

I don't see how it helps for Richard Dawkins to complain that parents pass on their philosophy to their children. Does he hope they won't speak in the house? He should also know better than to complain about diversity in the teaching of children. Doesn't he spend most of his time explaining the benefits of tackling difficult problems with many different solutions? The best solutions will self-select themselves for replication elsewhere. Everyone gains. The problem with religious state schools is the ''state'', not the ''religious''.

Andrew Peters,

3 Clarendon Mews, Linlithgow.

Perhaps Professor Dawkins should have had a word with his colleagues in the history, social science or politics faculties before he committed pen to paper this week. To imply that any school system in the UK is ''a more gratuitous affront to education'' than the single-race schools of apartheid South Africa is a slight to the people of the UK and an insult to all those who suffered under and fought against apartheid in South Africa.

To direct these comments against the Catholic schools of Scotland is as ironic as it is downright offensive. I am sure that there are many readers out there who would appreciate the opportunity to remind (or inform?) the professor why Catholic schools were originally founded in Scotland. Dr Verwoerd introduced single-race schools in South Africa to prevent blacks getting an education that might lead them to believe they were equal members of society. It is well-documented that in Scotland at the same time a Presbyterian establishment was hellbent on keeping Irish immigrants and Catholics firmly in their place.

The Catholic schools in Scotland have nothing to fear from a full and frank discussion of their place in a modern Britain. But those who choose to express their views in insults and insinuations, with little regard for the truth, are not contributing constructively.

Chris Sheridan,

66 Queen Victoria Drive, Glasgow.

IN Dundee, sectarian hatred is simply not an issue. Yes, when one of the Old Firm is in town the songs of their rival might be sung by the home support Tannadice or Dens. But do we call this sectarianism or give it its proper name - winding up the opposition. Sectarian hatred doesn't exist in Dundee. But there are a large number of Catholic schools. The conclusion is obvious.

It would be good to hear the Church of Scotland speak out strongly in defence of Catholic - ie, Christian - schools. This would go a long way to putting this matter to rest.

There are some people in Dundee who like fighting other people. They tend not to use religion as their excuse but still find reasons to do what they want to do. Unfortunately, hatred is not extinguished when religious distinction ceases to be an important social factor.

Andrew Laing,

6 Clattowoods Terrace, Dundee.

I WAS intrigued by the contribution from Frank McGurk to the debate on sectarianism in Scotland from his lofty position as deputy headmaster of the European School Brussels II. I am sorry for his ''certain amount of despair'' - I share it, but not for the same reasons. I have lived in four countries, the Republic of Ireland, Scotland, England, and Canada, and in only one, Scotland, does the question of Catholic schools excite controversy.

Here in Ireland, the existence of Protestant schools (and, indeed, Muslim and Jewish schools) is not only tolerated but welcomed, and in such a climate of diversity they continue to grow both in size and influence. No-one regards them in any way as a contributor to sectarianism, perhaps because there is none.

There was never a problem with Catholic schools in England or Canada either. Nor was there sectarianism.

The effort to blame the curse of religious bigotry on the existence of Catholic schools is a pathetic manifestation of the ongoing anti-Irishness, anti-Catholicism, that led to the creation of Catholic schools in Scotland in the first place. You may be right about two things, Mr McGurk - you have been away a long time and nothing really does change.

A word to those who would believe it is all the fault of poverty. Go to Ibrox Stadium on any given Saturday and tell me the ''bigots in blazers'' who scream anti-Irish, anti-Catholic filth are all from the less fortunate sections of Scottish society. I think not.

It really is time that Scotland grew up and appreciated that, in mature societies, diversity is a strength, tolerance a virtue. I won't be holding my breath.

Patrick J McGoldrick,

Ballinteer, Dublin.

There are none so blind as those who will not see. Archbishop Conti's claim that Catholic schools seek to promote harmony and understanding may well be true. The fact of the matter is that the promotion of these lofty ideals is failing miserably. How can Archbishop Conti fail to see otherwise? Go to Parkhead and listen to the ''songs'' sung by so-called Celtic supporters. (The majority presumably Catholic and a product of a Catholic education.) Just to balance up the sectarian equation, I suggest he attends Ibrox the following week and listen to another variation of ignorant sectarianism. (The majority presumably non-Catholic and a product of the state system.) In fact, a better idea would be to attend an ''Old Firm'' match and see and hear bigotry having its finest hour!

Now tell me that any form of separate schooling works - for anyone.

Patrick Balfour,

2a St Devenicks Terrace, Aberdeen.

JACK McConnell should be congratulated for being so forthright on the future of Catholic education. It is clear to many people that the Scottish Executive is keen to see an end to separate Catholic schools; the notion of anti-sectarianism, laudable in principle, should not blind us to the true feelings of the Labour/Lib-Dem establishment which sees the Catholic Church's stance on pro-life and pro-family policies as an unwelcome thorn in their modernist flesh.

But, as Archbishop Conti correctly articulated in his recent article, it appears that the true target of many modern politicians is not just Catholic education but the whole question of Judaeo-Christian moral principles which, until recently, underpinned our way of life. The crisis, therefore, has implications for all who consider themselves Christians.

Indeed, I would call on all Christians and people of goodwill to support the continued existence of Catholic schools.They are, I believe, one of the few remaining influential Christian bodies in Scotland. The alternative of a wholly secular educational system, run solely by those who see religious principles as outdated dogma to be swept away like dust, is too sad to contemplate.

Leonard Franchi,

Burnbrae, Alexandria.

I intend to follow Archbishop Conti's advice and ask the candidates in my constituency their views on segregated education. If they are in favour of the status quo they will not get my vote. The archbishop is going down a dangerous road, as I am sure there are more people against the idea than in favour. Would he be ready to put the question to a referendum? I would think not as he knows he would lose.

J S Morrison,

1 Arran Drive, Kirkintilloch.